Direction-signal for automobiles



J. PFEIFER.

DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I2. |911.

Patented Dec.v16, 1919.

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vwantoz UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE;

JOHN PFEIFER, F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO CIIARLES L. FRIERMOOD, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

DIRECTION-SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

Application filed April 12, 1917. Serial No. 161,429.

- zen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Direction-Signals for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in signals for automobiles, it more particularly relating to a signal for indicating the direction the driver proposes to turn.

'The'object of the invention is to provide a direction'signal which will possess such novelty as will be calculated to attract attention not only on the part of drivers of other machines but of trafiic oflicers and pedestrians.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a fronty elevation of my signal with a portion of the front face broken away so as to show the interior of the casing, the electric circuits and theacontrolling switch for the same being also shown in connection therewith, the switch being shown in section on the line 1-1 of Fig. `3.

Fig. 2 is a` section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a modification in the form of the signal indications.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a casing of suitable form `for attachment to any convenient place onthe vehicle, the casing shown in the present case being one which is intended to be attached at a point which can be observed both from the Ifront and rear, such as on the wind shield. The interior of the casing is provided with a centrally arranged transverse]D extending partition 2 and the upper hal of the casing is further divided by vertical partitions 3 into a series of compartments, five being shown in the present'instance. The front and rear of each of these five compartments'is closed by a window, represented respectively by l4 and 5, these windows being formed from any 4suitable material such as glass ,or celluloid. Each window is provided with a translucent design surrounded by opaque material. The design on the windows of each of the end compartments is in the form of an arrow head 5a, and the design 5b on each of the I6 intermediate compartments is of a form to indicate a portion of the shaft of an arrow. In eachof the compartments there is an electric light represented by 6, 7 8, 9, and 10 respectively.

For controlling the lights' I employ a switch located in convenient reach of the driver.` This-switch consists of a rotating member shown in the present case as a circular disk or plate 11 provided with a finger piece or handle 12 and with a spring wiper 13, the disk having a rearwardly extending shaft or trunnion 14 journaled in a bearing f 15 provided with a base portion 16 by which it may be secured to the point of attachment.

This bearing 15 also has a {iange 17 on its forward end to which is secured a disk 18 of insulating material which carries a series of contacts, one for each light, represented bytrical connection with the respective lights y through the wires 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. All of the lights in the compartments mentioned are in circuit with the battery 29 by a common wire 30, which may be connected to the transversely arranged partition 2 which is of metal so as to carry the current. The wiper 13 is electrically connected to the other pole of the battery through the metallic disk 11, its shaft 14 bearing 15 and wire 31.

As a result of this construction it will be seen that as the disk 11 is revolved in either direction a series of successive flashes will be 'caused totravel across the compartment,

giving the effect of flying arrows.

In .order that but one arrow head may sho'w at each operation of the device, I have provided means for cutting out either one of the lights 6 or 10 and to this end there is provided a cut out in the nature of a plate 32 of insulating material loosely hung upon the shaft 14 having fingers or arms 32a and 32b which lie in the p'ath of the wiper 13. When 4the wiper is turned in the directiony of the arrow a-a, which will cause the flashes to travel to the right, it will throw the cutout to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, thus covering contact 21 and cutting out light 10. When the disk is turned in the direction of the arrow b-b, the 'out out will be thrown to the dotted line position thus covering the contact 22 and cutting out light l'oo 6; the flashes in this direction ofrotation into a slotted opening 34 in the cut out limits the movement of the same.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modification in the form of the designs on'the windows. In this case veach of the end windows is the diamond shape design 35 and the intermediate windows of circular design 36. Whenjsuch a designfis employed on the end windows the cut out before described may be eliminated and the flashes caused to travel throughout all of the compartments.

It is obvious that any other suitable form of design may be employed, the main idea of the invention being to cause the series of rapidsuccessive flashes across thel compartments in either direction so as to attractattention to the signal.

The lower half of the casing has its windows in the present case shown with the indication Stop thereon and with a light therein indicated by 37. This light 37 is connected to'one pole of the battery 29 by the commonclwire and to the contact 38 by a Wire 39. A switch 40 in circuit with the battery provides the means for establishing the circuit, the. switch being normally held open by a spring (not show 4 Having ithus described my invention, I claim- Y y -1. In a device of the character described, a casing having a plurality of'V coinpartments arranged transversely in line with each other, each compartment having a window pervious to light andan electric light in each compartment together with means for illuminating and extinguishingA said lights in successive order in either direction in uninterrupted progression, and means for cutting out onebf the end compartments when the lights are illuminated successively in one direction and the other end compartment when 4the 'lights are illuninated successively in the opposite direcion.

2. I n a device of the character described, a casing having a plurality of light separated compartments, each compartment having a window pervious to light, -an elec- `tric lightin each compartment, a switch for illuminating and extinguishing said lights in successive order in eitherwdirection by a continuous movement thereof, and a cut-out associated with said. switch to cut out one of the fend compartments, when the switch is moved inY one direction andthe other end compartment when the switch is moved in the opposite direction. Y

3. In a device ofthe character described, a

- the opposite ldirection.`

casing having a plurality of electric lights, and a rotary switch which when rotated in one direction successively illuminates and extinguishes said lights in uninttrrupted progression, a plurality of successive times in one direction and when rotated in the op-4 dow pervious to light, an electric light located in each compartment, and a rotary switch which when rotated in one direction successively illuminates and extinguishes said lights in uninterrupted progression a plurality of successive times in the same direction and when rotated in the opposite direction successively,illuminates and extinguishes said lights in uninterrupted progression a plurality of successive times in the opposite direction, depending upon the number of times said switch is rotated.

'5. In a signaling device of the'character described, a stationarycasing having a plurality of compartments, an electric light in each compartment, and devices, together with electrical connections, adapted when operated continuously in one direction to successively illuminate said lights in uninterrupted progression a plurality of successive times in one direction across said casing, and, when operated continuously inthe lopposite direct-ion, adapted to successively electrical connections, under manual control for successively illuminating and extinguishing said lights in uninterrupted progression a plurality of successive times in one direction and for also illuminating and extinguishing said lights in uninterrupted'progressionv a plurality of successive times'in 'In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of April 1917. JOHN PFEIFER Witness:

CHAs. I. WELCH.- 

